Albinism Can Happen to Animals Too, These 15 Cute Albino Animals are a Proof!

Albinism is a rare condition affecting human beings who lack the necessary pigment for melanin production. Hence, they appear to be a lot whiter than other people. Sadly, the lack of such pigment has also caused negative effects on their health. They are so sensitive to the sun and others have even become blind. This condition though is not just among human beings. There were animals that have been documented having this rare genetic condition. Let us take a closer look at these incredible albino animals and have a glimpse of just how bizarre the animal kingdom can be.

Humpback Whale

Perhaps, we are familiar of this story thanks to the Moby Dick, starring the great white whale. However, this is not just a product of one’s imagination. There is an actual white whale that has been documented. The first one was sighted off the coast of Queensland, Australia in 1991. Later on, an albino calf migrating with other whales was also spotted. These whales are a lot more sensitive to light and are also more susceptible to predation.

Moose

At first glance, this animal looks like a ghost that has come back to haunt us. The truth is that it is just like any other moose but with a different color. A moose is a very large deer and it can pose threats to human beings. They normally blend in dark trees on thick forests where they live. This albino moose was discovered in the snowy region of Ontario, Canada. Hence, its pigmentation blends well with its environment. Sadly though, when the winter season is over, it becomes more visible and easily susceptible to its predators. It is also sensitive to the light just like other animals with albinism.

Lobster

Albinism in animals alone is already rare. Imagine this happening in even smaller animals like arthropods. It is truly one of a kind. There was an albino lobster that was documented and it looks like it has been thoroughly bleached. After careful study of this albino animal, it was discovered that such pigmentation was completely natural. There are not so many discoveries though.

Hummingbird

These hummingbirds are adored not just because of their speed, but because of their appearance. They are very colorful and are a visual delight. Thus, when an albino ruby-throated hummingbird was spotted in a garden in Virginia, it immediately caused media attention. It also gained popularity for its survival skills. Most albino animals are either left out by their family members or are hunted down by predators. This bird was a loner, but has perhaps moved to fast to even be killed by predators. The documented hummingbird also has red eyes.

Ravens

When we think of ravens, we immediately see a black bird. It has in fact become the star of several legends and horror stories. Therefore, for a white raven to actually exist in reality is such a spectacle. It immediately stands out since its family members are all coated with black feathers. Looking at its pure white feather is so immaculate. Sadly though, its diet composed of rotten meat causes some changes on its appearance.

Cobra

Cobras are among the deadliest forces in the wild. It easily blends with its environment so it can attack its prey in just a few seconds. Sadly, for this albino cobra, it is not an option. It is so visible that it becomes the easy target instead of being the predator. A documented cobra was eventually brought into captivity and named Goya, since its appearance poses huge threat in the wild.

The Great White Shark

This is such a rare find and there was only 1 well documented case in 2008. The shark was spotted at the waters of Darwin, at the Galapagos group of islands. It was seen to feed to macroplanktons and sardines. It also lacked massive teeth common among other sharks. Given this trait, it does not pose grave threats to humans. It is still extremely large though at 33 feet.

Gorilla

If human beings are affected by this genetic condition, our closest relatives couldn’t escape from this too. Snowflake was one of the albino gorillas that were well-documented. It was born in Equatorial Guinea in 1964. It was held in captivity for 39 years in Spain. Studies have shown that this condition happened because of in-breeding.

Manta Rays

These animals are popular for blending so well on the ocean floor. They are in fact referred to as the carpet of the ocean. However, this is not the case for the albino manta ray. It does not have such a capacity, but it still looks amazing as it stands out.

Chameleons

We all know these animals for having the “superpowers” of camouflaging. They are so great in changing colors to blend with their environment. Sadly, this rare chameleon couldn’t do the same thing. It stays white regardless of its environment. It is still a spectacle though.

Skunks

Well, this seems like a dangerous animal. We all hate skunks for their pungent smell. When you see an albino skunk though, you might think that it is the cuddlier version. Be warned as it is still as odorous as its relatives. You might want to run away as soon as you see one. It is extremely rare though, so you have nothing to worry about.

Owls

In several legend stories, owls have been considered as the bringers of doom. People are scared of owls when in fact; they pose no harm when left alone. Think of an owl that is completely white. This takes scary to an entirely different level. There were some cases of albino owls that were recorded and were regarded as freaks of nature. They look adorable though.

Koala Bears

Koala bears alone are already cute and cuddly. Imagine if it is all coated in white. Koalas love to sleep or eat most of the times. If you see an albino koala doing all these things, you might just want to stare at it forever. There is one currently in captivity at the San Diego Zoo. However, it is believed that there are a lot of them out there in the wild.

Snail

This is one of the rarest animals ever. There is only one such snail captured by Kiwi hikers before, and there was no other recorded evidence again. If there are a lot of these snails out there, they would most likely spend their time hiding since their color is such a huge threat.

Alligators

White alligators might have been heard only in urban legends, but they do exist. Alligators are normally green in color so they easily blend with their native environments, which are the swamps. They can easily stalk their prey with their ability to camouflage. The albino alligator though does not have such ability. Therefore, it can be seen mostly in darkened sewers and wet areas than in an open wetland. They are also very sensitive to light.

Albinism is a condition that no one wants to have. It prevents people from enjoying life normally. They are also teased as freaks. It might be the same thing for animals. Let us just take some time to look at them and appreciate their uniqueness.